Safe-injecting room controversy misses the point

Associate Professor Kate Seear
Sharps disposal

The Melbourne supervised injecting room (MSIR) hit the headlines this week, with reports that two individuals linked to the North Richmond Community Health centre — which houses the service — had been arrested.

One was reportedly charged with drug offences and later released on bail, while a second person was released without charge.1

Unfortunately, some initial reporting was inaccurate. The Age initially reported that the staff worked at MSIR, before issuing a correction.2

By then, however, concerns about the long-term viability of the service had begun to be raised.